Week 10 of the 2016 NFL season didn’t disappoint at all with exciting highlights and nail-biting moments enthralling fans to the fullest. That week is now in the books, however. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of more intense football action coming your way in Week 11. And as always we’ve got you covered with our complete picks of all the scheduled matchups.
Read on below as we dissect the upcoming Week 11 games and while you’re at it, you can check out our breakdown of the Thursday Night Football clash between NFC South rivals New Orleans and Carolina.
teams on a bye this week: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers
Thursday, November 17
New Orleans Saints (+3.5) at Carolina Panthers (-3.5) – 8:25 PM ET
The New Orleans Saints wasted a glorious opportunity to gain some ground in the NFC South as they suffered a gut-wrenching 25-23 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Saints missed a potential game-winning extra point late on as they remained 1.5 games behind leaders Atlanta in the division standings. New Orleans will look to get its season back on track when it takes on the reeling Carolina Panthers this coming Sunday.
The Saints will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against their division rivals of late. New Orleans edged past Carolina, 41-38, in their first meeting this season. Drew Brees was exceptional in that game, passing for 465 yards and four touchdowns. They will need that same kind of offensive performance against a Carolina side that’s allowing an average of 25.1 points per game this season, 10th-worst in the NFL.
Writer’s Prediction: The Saints (+3.5) eke out a 24-21 win.
Sunday, November 20
Pittsburgh Steelers (-9) at Cleveland Browns (+9) – 1:00 PM ET
Cleveland’s losing woes show no sign of abating as the Browns absorbed their 10th consecutive setback with a 28-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It was another disappointing defeat for the reeling Browns who are the only team in the NFL that’s still winless this campaign. It’s back to the drawing board for head coach Hue Jackson and the rest of the Browns who will next face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For the Browns to snap their losing skid this coming Sunday, they will need to find ways to limit the opposing team’s quarterback. In their past two outings, Joe Flacco and Dak Prescott went a combined 51 of 68 for 543 yards with six touchdown passes against them. That will be easier said than done, though, as they will next face Ben Roethlisberger. The two-time Super Bowl champion completed 37 of 46 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s heart-breaking loss to Dallas on Sunday.
Writer’s Prediction: The Steelers (-9) cover the spread against the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens (+7) at Dallas Cowboys (-7) – 1:00 PM ET
There’s just no stopping Dallas right now. The Cowboys recorded their eighth consecutive victory with a thrilling 35-30 come-from-behind win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. That’s the first time since 1977 that Dallas has recorded such a long winning run. Key to the Cowboys’ resurgence has been the excellent play of Ezekiel Elliott. He ran for 209 yards and three scores in the win against the Steelers.
They will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they face the Baltimore Ravens this coming Sunday. The Ravens are fresh off an impressive 21-point victory over the Cleveland Browns which extended their winning streak to two games. Joe Flacco was simply sensational for the Ravens in that contest, completing 30-of-41 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. He will look to create that same kind of success against a Dallas secondary that’s allowing 246.0 yards per game through the air this season, 15th in the NFL.
Writer’s Prediction: Dallas (-7) keeps the momentum going with a 27-10 win.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5) at Detroit Lions (-6.5) – 1:00 PM ET
All is right in Detroit once again after the Lions recorded a gritty 22-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 6. It was a huge bounce-back win for the Lions, who suffered a 20-13 loss to Houston the previous weekend. Matthew Stafford was clutch once again for the Lions, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns including the game-winning score to Golden Tate in overtime.
The Lions will look to make it back-to-back wins when they lock horns with the Jacksonville Jaguars this coming Sunday. The Jaguars have lost their last four games to fall further behind in the AFC South race. For Jacksonville to end its losing rut, the Jaguars need to get a better performance from quarterback Blake Bortles. He threw two touchdown passes in the loss to Houston but was also intercepted once. Bortles has already thrown 11 picks this season, second-worst in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The Tennessee Titans will look to go above .500 for the first time this season when they face the Indianapolis Colts this coming weekend. The Titans’ confidence is through the roof right now after they thrashed the Green Bay Packers, 47-25, on Sunday. It has been a remarkable recovery for the Titans who started the season 1-3.
Key to Tennessee’s turnaround has been the improved play of Marcus Mariota. He threw four touchdown passes in the win against the Packers. Mariota will be licking his chops at the prospect of facing an Indianapolis secondary that’s allowing 287.9 yards per game through the air this season, second-worst in the NFL. Beating Indianapolis will be easier said than done, though, for Tennessee as the Titans have lost their last 10 road games against the Colts.
Writer’s Prediction: The Colts (-2.5) cover the spread against the Titans.
Buffalo Bills (+2.5) at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) – 1:00 PM ET
Buffalo’s bye week couldn’t have come at a much opportune time after they lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 31-25, in Week 9 for their third defeat in a row. That setback proved to be costly for the Bills (4-5) as they are now three games behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East standings.
The root of the Bills’ problems during this losing rut has been their awful defense. In their last three losses, they have allowed an average of 33.3 points. Buffalo is 14th in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 22.6 points per game this campaign. They will look to fix their defensive set-up against a Cincinnati side that has struggled mightily on the offensive end this year. The Bengals are averaging just *** per game this season, 22nd in the NFL.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5) – 1:00 PM ET
Don’t look now but the Kansas City Chiefs are on top of the AFC West division after recording an enthralling 20-17 comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs’ defense stood tall once again as they managed to win their fifth consecutive game even without an offensive touchdown on Sunday. The Chiefs held the Panthers to just 341 total yards as they battled back from a gargantuan 17-point deficit.
They can create further separation from the chasing pack when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this coming Sunday. The Bucs finally snapped their two-game losing streak with a resounding 36-10 victory over the Chicago Bears. It was an impressive performance by the Bucs who recorded their first home win of the season. Jameis Winston starred in Tampa Bay’s victory, throwing for 312 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He kept the chains moving on Sunday as he converted eight of his 15 third-down opportunities.
Writer’s Prediction: The Chiefs (-7.5) extend their winning run to six games with a comprehensive 24-13 victory.
Chicago Bears (+7.5) at New York Giants (-7.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The New York Giants will head to their NFC showdown with the Chicago Bears with momentum on their side after beating the Cincinnati Bengals, 21-20, on Monday. It was a fantastic victory by the Giants who have now won three consecutive games. The Giants are now just 2.5 games behind first-place Dallas in the NFC East division.
Key to their win against the Bengals was their phenomenal defense. The Giants limited the Bengals to just 271 total yards on Monday. They will look to bring that same aggressive defense against a Chicago side that’s averaging just 15.7 points per game this season, second-lowest in the NFL. The Giants are 3-0 ATS in their last three meetings with the Bears.
Writer’s Prediction: The Giants (-7.5) beat the Bears by double-digits.
Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) at Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) – 1:00 PM ET
The Arizona Cardinals kept their flickering playoff hopes alive with a nerve-wracking 23-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to help the Cards snap their two-game winless run. It was a crucial victory for the Cardinals who moved to within two games of the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead.
The Cards will look to slice that deficit even further when they take on the Minnesota Vikings this coming Sunday. The Vikings are hell-bent on arresting their four-game slide this coming weekend. For Minnesota to achieve that feat, the Vikings will need to improve on their woeful running game. The Vikings haven’t run for more than 104 yards in a game this season and have crossed the 100-yard mark only once, back in Week 4 against the Giants.
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (+2.5) – 4:05 PM ET
The Miami Dolphins will look to extend their winning streak to five games when they face the Los Angeles Rams this coming weekend. The Dolphins’ confidence is at an all-time high after they hacked out a gritty 31-24 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. It has been a remarkable recovery for the Dolphins who started the season 1-4.
Key to the Dolphins’ turnaround has been the improved play of Ryan Tannehill. He threw two touchdown passes in the win against the Chargers. Tannehill will have his work cut out for him, however, against a Rams defense that allowed just 296 yards in its recent win against the Jets. The Rams are 1-3 at home this season while the Dolphins have the same record on the road.
Writer’s Prediction: The Rams (+2.5) edge past the Dolphins, 20-17.
New England Patriots (-11.5) at San Francisco 49ers (+11.5) – 4:25 PM ET
What in the world is happening to San Francisco? The 49ers crashed to their eighth consecutive loss with a heart-breaking 23-20 defeat to Arizona on Sunday. The 49ers wasted a brilliant performance by Colin Kaepernick who accounted for 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It won’t get any easier for San Francisco this coming weekend as standing in its way are the New England Patriots. The Patriots, who are coming off a surprising 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10, are still unbeaten on the road this season.
Writer’s Prediction: New England (-11.5) destroys San Francisco, 41-14.
Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5) at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5) – 4:25 PM ET
The Philadelphia Eagles finally snapped their four-game losing streak with an impressive 24-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. Ryan Mathews had a field day against the Falcons, rushing for 108 yards and two scores. With the victory, the Eagles remained three games behind the red-hot Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East race.
The Eagles will look to make it back-to-back wins when they lock horns with the Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. With their stunning victory against New England in Week 10, Seattle opened up a healthy two-game lead atop the NFC West standings. Key to the Seahawks’ resurgence has been the improved play of Russell Wilson. He has thrown for 630 yards and five touchdowns over Seattle’s last two games.
Writer’s Prediction: The Seahawks (-6.5) ease past the Eagles, 28-17.
Green Bay Packers (+3) at Washington Redskins (-3) – 8:30 PM ET
Things are going from bad to worse for the Green Bay Packers who crashed to their third consecutive loss with a humiliating 47-25 defeat to Tennessee on Sunday. The Titans wreaked havoc against a floundering Green Bay defense, scoring touchdowns in each of their first four drives. With the Packers’ D in turmoil, the onus is on Aaron Rodgers to carry the load for Green Bay. He completed 31 of 51 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in the loss to the Titans.
He will fancy his chances this coming weekend as the Packers have fared extremely well against the Redskins of late. The Packers are 2-0 SU and ATS in their last two meetings with the Redskins. Rodgers threw for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Green Bay’s 35-18 win over Washington in the NFL Wild Card game earlier this year.
Writer’s Prediction: Green Bay (+3) snaps its three-game losing streak with a hard-fought 27-24 win.
Monday, November 21
Houston Texans (+6) at Oakland Raiders (-6) – 8:30 PM ET
Something’s gotta give. The Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders will put their respective winning streaks on the line when they square off at Estadio Azteca this coming Monday. One of the key matchups to watch in this game is the showdown between quarterbacks Brock Osweiler and Derek Carr. For the Texans to emerge victorious in this game, they will need Osweiler to improve on his highly-erratic play. He has already thrown nine interceptions over his first nine games, sixth-highest in the NFL. The same can’t be said of Carr who has just thrown three picks to go alongside his 17 touchdown passes for Oakland this campaign.
Writer’s Prediction: Derek Carr leads the Raiders (-6) to a 31-17 victory.
